Research is looking at the perfect food for interstellar travel

The scenario is a futuristic spaceship, and you are astronauts heading to Mars. You’re probably dealing with the on-board systems, the track, and the trials to be performed, but only one question will come to mind throughout the day. Namely, “What do we eat?” Man does not live by technology alone, my friends. Even an astronaut needs food.

Our human experiences will keep us company in a great void of space, and food is an integral part of that. Even millions of kilometers from Earth one must have Magna.

What are we going to put on the “space” board?

When it comes to food in space, it’s not just about calories and nutrients. Just like on earth, it will be important to be able to savor, experience and enjoy a good meal. That’s why Nervous Gastronomya pioneering scientific discipline that aims to transform astronaut food from simple food into a full sensory experience.

Far from the stoves of his “academic” kitchen. Bob PerryPresident of the University of Kentucky, in association with Humanity in deep spacea group dedicated to finding solutions to the challenges we face in becoming interstellar beings.

Perry explains that long-duration space missions have a psychological impact. Neuroscience, a term coined in 2006 by Gordon Shepherd, a neuroscientist at Yale University, explores the fascinating connections between the brain and our experience of food by revealing how we perceive what we eat and what we like. The most recent study on the subject You can find it here.

Cooking challenge on the red planet

Traveling to Mars is not like spending an evening at a pizzeria. It’s not just about feeding the crew, it’s about maintaining a balance between nutrition and the pleasure of eating.

The challenge is not just food production aboard spacecraft, but also how the space atmosphere affects the microbiome and digestive processes: the astronauts’ gut health becomes a key issue.

By studying all of the interactions between food and the body, researchers can design dietary strategies that improve nutrient absorption and enhance overall well-being. Food, as you know, isn’t just food: and astronaut food should be no exception.

Food for body and soul

The isolation and hardships of deep space travel can severely affect human psychology.

Throughout history, there is a table where people gather to eat in every community. Weightless cooking tools and apps will be a must for food lovers, allowing them to take on the challenges of preparing meals in a microgravity environment.

Trekkies’ thoughts shift from a naturally gay Boomer to the “Space Cook” character, a crew member who will also be responsible for “binding” his mates through food. Perhaps through the management of small, sustainable and closed-loop food systems.

Understanding how to give Neelixes in the future to a kitchen (and vegetable garden) can inspire us to make better use of food on Earth as well, to reduce waste and grow nutritious meals, thus addressing issues of scarcity. Food and sustainability right here at home is where man really set foot. I’m here.